Pre-trip lesson: This lesson focuses on how nature is depicted in Japanese art. By learning about geography, climate, and religious beliefs in Japan, students gain an understanding of how nature is a popular and important motif in Japanese art. Students also use figurative language, including similes and metaphors, to describe a work of art. Finally, students learn how to represent and add numbers on a traditional Japanese abacus.
Trip: At the Freer Gallery students analyze the function of Japanese screens and describe the artwork painted on the screens. They write a group poem about one particular screen and share their writing with the class. Finally, students create a screen of their own, depicting their favorite season in DC.
Post-trip lesson: For the culminating activity, students write haikus to accompany the screen created at the Gallery. They also test their knowledge of Japanese culture and art as they compete in a collaborative review game and take written assessments.
Academic Standards: Reading (6.LD-V.9); Mathematics (6.NSO.N-1); Social Studies (6.1.4); Visual Arts (6.3.3, 6.5.2)
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